Miami – September 20, 2023 – After a yearlong legal dispute with the State of Florida over its drag queen shows, R House, a popular Miami-based restaurant, has reached a resolution by agreeing to pay a $10,000 fine. The settlement marks the conclusion of a challenging chapter for the establishment. Greenspoon Marder’s Hospitality, Alcohol, and Leisure Industry Group chair Louis J. Terminello and senior counsel Michael Martinez, led the legal representation for the client, along with co-counsel Jane Muir of J. Muir & Associates.
In a significant development, the settlement agreement contains no admission or finding of guilt on the part of R House. The State’s undercover investigation affirmed that there was no unlawful content present in R House’s shows. Initially, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation had pursued the revocation of the restaurant’s liquor license, a move that could have potentially jeopardized the business’s operation. However, R House persevered and continued to serve its patrons throughout the legal challenges and in January 2023 implemented a mandatory age limit of 18+ for its drag show performances, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all guests.
“This settlement is a positive outcome for R House, confirming that there was no finding or admission of guilt. The extensive investigation conducted by the State underscores the absence of unlawful content in R House’s shows,” said Mr. Terminello.
“We are very happy that after more than a year, R House has settled its litigation with no admission or finding of guilt. We want to thank everyone who supported us as we continued to successfully operate our business under the weight of this investigation, and look forward to a bright future,” said R House ownership.